Minister for the Illawarra John Ajaka has rejected claims he failed to declare a first-class upgrade during a $26,000 taxpayer-funded overseas trip last year.
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According to media reports, Mr Ajaka received the rare upgrade from business to first class as a favour from Emirates on one leg of a seven-day trip to India and Dubai in October.
The opposition claims Mr Ajaka – who is also Minister for Disabilities and Ageing – declared the trip, but not the upgrade.
The revelation this week prompted calls from shadow treasurer Michael Daley for Mr Ajaka to be sacked.
A spokeswoman for Mr Ajaka said the trip was a ‘‘trade mission’’ at the request of the University of Wollongong and he had ‘‘acted in accordance with the rules governing disclosure. The purpose of the trip was to attract trade and investment to the Illawarra region, and promote the Illawarra as a leader in tertiary education and information technology,’’ the spokeswoman said.
She said Mr Ajaka attended 17 meetings, which included ‘‘advanced discussions with an Indian company’’ and a memorandum of understanding signing with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.
The opposition said the trip included a ‘‘plum seat’’ at the Australia-Pakistan Test cricket match in Dubai.
Mr Daley said $18,000 was spent ‘‘flying Mr Ajaka and an adviser in first class around the world’’ and a further $8000 on hotel accommodation.
“This conduct by his minister fails the pub test and Mike Baird needs to show some leadership and sack John Ajaka if the minister refuses to tender his own resignation,” Mr Daley said.
“John Ajaka might be the Baird government’s Minister for the Illawarra, but you’ve got a better chance of catching him in the Emirates’ first-class lounge than in Wollongong, Bomaderry or Kiama.”
Mr Daley claimed taxpayers were also charged $244 to upgrade a diplomatic passport for the minister’s wife, even though she wasn’t on the trip.
Mr Ajaka’s spokeswoman said the minister’s wife was ‘‘entitled to a diplomatic passport, as are other spouses of ministers’’.
Kiama MP, and deputy government whip, Gareth Ward said members of Parliament had until March 31 to make declarations.
‘‘There’s no failure on behalf of the minister at all.
‘‘The only failure is of Mr Daley to tell the whole truth,’’ Mr Ward said.
‘‘In this particular instance, he’s spun the truth to suit his own political purposes two months out from an election.’’
Wollongong MP Noreen Hay said Mr Ajaka should have declared the trip and upgrade at the same time.
Troubles of previous Ministers for the Illawarra
- Matt Brown: Resigned as minister in September 2008 after reports that he had danced in his underpants on a sofa during a boozy post-budget party in June, 2008.
- David Campbell: Resigned in May 2010 over claims he used a government car to visit a gay sex club in Sydney.
- Paul McLeay: Resigned September 2010 after admitting using government computer to visit porn and gambling websites.
- Eric Roozendaal: Suspended from the ALP in November 2012 pending ICAC investigation into claims he received a car for $10,800 less than its original value in return for favours for Eddie Obeid. Resigned in 2013 and was later cleared by ICAC.
- Greg Pearce: Sacked by Premier Barry O’Farrell in August 2013 over a conflict of interest with a board appointment to Sydney Water.
andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au